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Jaina Acāra : Siddhanta aura Svarūpa
From Ajita to Parsva, founders of faith, observed only four vows and not that of celibacy, but this does not mean that they ignored celibacy. In possessiveness' they included women also. And then conditions were different. Being straightforward and wise they could comprehend the essence of religion with comparative ease and felicity. Staying with the preceptor strengthens celibacy.
Pujyapāda writes, "For want of celibacy people indulge in violence against mobile and immobile beings. They tell lies and accept things which were never given to them. With the violation of celibacy other vows are also broken as objects falling from a mountain break into pieces. Mahatma Gandhi said that all the five vows are interdependent and interrelated. The violation of one means the violation of all.
It is possible for a monk to practise hardest penances and strictly observe vows but the most difficult thing is to control the mind. When it is swayed by passions uncontrollably other things can not be helpful.
Kalidasa in Kumarāsambhava depicts the severe penance, practised by Siva, but when Parvatī appears in all her glory and splendour, even Siva becomes unsteady and fidgety.
Bhāravi in Kiratārjuniyam depicts the penances of Arjuna. So very severe were they that even the throne of Indra began to shake. The most charming nymphs could not break or even shake his resolve.
Hemacandra relates how Sthulabhadra had stayed with a prostitute named Koša for years together. After being initiated he stayed during a rainy season at a place where Kosa, devoted as she was, again offered herself to him. Such an enticing offer from a living beauty could entice anybody but not Sthūlabhadra. Jainism says also that for salvation the person must be of a strong constitution with sturdy bones.
Science is propagating contraceptives for population control but actually is encouraging prostitution. Young people have faded faces. Their power of resistance is minmal. In youth they look pretty old. The older people are much younger in spirit then youngsters in their make-up They are desperate, dissipated. Their lack-lustre faces indicate a bleak future. He who cannot control his sense-organs is not expected to cut the knot of karmas. No beautician can restore freshness and lasting vigour. It is only celibacy that can deliver the goods.
Means of beautification are no substitute for natural beauty. Powder, cream and the like are not unlike decking a corpse. If a dry tree is painted green, it cannot be an invitation to the spring season. Without celibacy scientific ways will only make matters worse, since it will not be the desired restraint but a free license.
To strengthen celibacy there are certain reflections in Acārariga, Samavāyāriga etc. Acārariga gives five reflections as follows : Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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